Houston-area Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher has nominated Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi for developing a vaccine against COVID-19.
Corbevax is based on an older vaccine platform and can be produced inexpensively. The two doctors, who worked in conjunction with scientists at Texas Children's hospital hold no patents and will not profit. Any manufacturer or nation can make the vaccine at no charge to the makers.
Rep. Fletcher says "we're really proud of them in Houston and the work they've done really speaks to the purpose of the Nobel prize, to recognize the people who have done the most to advance fellowship among nations and have conferred a great benefit to humankind."
The hope is the vaccine will be used globally, especially in low-income nations. "Without limitation they are making available the vaccine they developed that is effective and will bring an end to the pandemic by vaccinating the world."
Corbevax is being produced and used in India and 250 million doses have been produced there, with the goal to make over a billion shots this year.
There are hopes the vaccine will soon be used and made in other nations.
The scientists have created a starter kit for other countries and have put out published papers to others can replicate Corbevax.
She says it is an incredible privilege as a member of congress to be eligible to nominate people for the Nobel prize. "This is the first time I've done it and I think it's so incredibly deserving and a great representation of what we're proud of as our spirit in Houston and as Texans and Americans. It really represents the best of what we do here."
Fletcher, a Democrat, was joined in her letter of support by 13 members of the Texas delegation, Democrats and Republicans alike.
After submitting the letter, Congresswoman Fletcher told Dr. Hotez and Dr. Bottazzi about the nomination.
"I am honored that Congresswoman Fletcher would nominate us for the Nobel Peace Prize, said Peter Hotez M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the Baylor College of Medicine National School of Tropical Medicine and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. "Dr. Bottazzi and I have worked together for years, and our purpose has never changed – to bring attention to the neglected diseases of poverty and build a new generation of vaccine in the pursuit of global vaccine diplomacy. With our COVID vaccine, which is inexpensive and easy to produce, our intent was to make it available to millions of people in the world who would otherwise not have access to COVID vaccines."
"We are so grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher for recognizing our work, and so flattered that she nominated us for this most prestigious award,” said Maria Elena Bottazzi Ph.D, Associate Dean of the Baylor College of Medicine National School of Tropical Medicine and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. "We have a team of scientists that have worked diligently for years to bring appropriate and affordable health technologies to those who have been overlooked around the world. When the COVID pandemic hit, we wanted to make a difference and had great confidence our coronavirus vaccine technology, previously developed, could lead to a global solution. Hopefully, it will be game changing for many countries."
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